title: Experiences of work and sickness absence in employees with depression: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The experience of employment with depression is explored to develop understanding of the mediators that may influence the management of depression-related sickness absence and improve theoretical understanding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from seven semi-structured interviews and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis used to explore the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three interrelated themes were drawn from the participants' accounts: (1) the interaction between depression and work; (2) illness beliefs; and (3) organisational context and depression. The analysis revealed that participants appeared to hold five key perceptions about their depression and work: low control in the workplace; lack of line manager support; diminishing ability to work; the need to address depressive symptoms; and perceptions of depression. Their strength resulted in individuals reaching sickness absence thresholds. The themes and participants' accounts of their work and sickness absence and return to work behaviour are discussed in relation to relevant theory and evidence to understand how these perceptions and beliefs mediate behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals' health (illness representations) and work beliefs (outcome expectancies and self-efficacy for work tasks and management of health at work) appear to influence individuals' sickness absence decisions and experiences and these are mediated by individuals' experiences of organisational policies, line manager support and the messages and actions of GPs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Room 604 Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2NS, UK, anna.sallis@dh.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sallis
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Birkin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062707:Return to Work; D012494:Sampling Studies; D020377:Self Efficacy; D018582:Sick Leave; D057545:Social Stigma; D006113:United Kingdom